Every week, every season there are players who fly under the radar.
They are usually the lesser known contributors who go about their business for the good of the team.
They (often) stay away from the headlines and just put their head down and do the work.
This is the topic that Nathan Buckley floated with some names of unheralded players who he believes are not getting enough recognition in 2023.
Buckley identified a pair of Adelaide Crows who are playing solid footy for their ever-improving team over the first nine rounds.
“Who are the players that aren’t getting love?,” Buckley asked on SEN Breakfast.
“In your team, the ones you’re looking at across the field and you’re saying ‘wow’.
“Luke Pedlar is a young guy at Adelaide, and there are plenty of guys that are getting headlines, but I reckon he’s one that just keeps getting it done.
“Chayce Jones is another that has come through as well. He’s been in the system for a little while.”
After five games combined across 2021 and 2022, Pedlar is enjoying a strong season for the Crows with 12 goals in eight outings while averaging 12 disposals, five marks and two tackles.
Fellow former first-round pick Jones is averaging 17 touches, three clearances and three inside 50s - all career-highs.
Buckley and co-host Kane Cornes put it out to the SEN listeners to find some more unheralded players who are in form this year.
Buckley said: “Who are the guys in your team, the unheralded performers that are having a sneaky good season, that potentially could be in All-Australian calculations?
“Or if they’re guns, have been able to play consistent footy to the point where you think they should be in the AA team at the end of the year.”
Cornes added: “Or just playing a really important role or not getting enough recognition.”
From some of the nominations, Cornes and Buckley discussed a pair of Fremantle players who have also been quietly going about their business.
“Lachie Schultz is a ripping player,” Cornes said.
Buckley added: “The other one at Fremantle is Sam Switkowski.
“When he’s injured they look like they’re half the team that they become, which is saying something about a player who statistically doesn’t stand out, but in key moments, his speed, his pressure on the opposition (do stand out).
“When Switkowski, Schultz and Michael Frederick get up and running, Fremantle look an entirely different side in that front half.”
Another caller suggested Brisbane defender Brandon Starcevich.
“He’s a gun,” said Buckley.
“When the Lions want someone locked down who is a dangerous player, he’s been fantastic.”
Essendon captain Zach Merrett was also nominated for his two-way running and his increased defensive effort.
“He’s improved in that area,” said Cornes.
“It was an area he highlighted in the off-season that they wanted to get better at.”
Buckley added: “Just a little acknowledgment with him, he’s been pristine and has always looked perfect.
“He’s looked a bit ruffled and I like it, there’s a bit of a rough edge there. I reckon that’s a bit of development.
“Sometimes you’ve got to let it go a little bit to find your best. It’s just a little thing.”
Below are some of the other nominations from listeners:
Nathan Murphy (Collingwood)
John Noble (Collingwood)
Gryan Miers (Geelong)
Liam Baker (Richmond)
Nathan Broad (Richmond)
Josh Battle (St Kilda)
Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs)